Thread-cutter.



J. W. BOWERSOX & A. W. MOORE.

THREAD CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 11, 1916.

1 ,1 96,55 1 Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

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JOSEPH W. BOWERSOX AND ALBERT W. MOORE, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

THREAD-CUTTER.

Application filed April 11, 1916.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, J osnrrr VJ. Bowensox and ALBERT W. Moonn, citizens of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thread-Cutters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to thread cutters, for use in connection with sewing machines, more particularly mattress sewing machines, and has for its object to provide a cutter of such type having means, in a manner as hereinafter referred to, for automatically cutting or severing the thread while being fed to the needle of the machine, if the thread is knotted and prior to the engagement of the knot in the thread with the eye of the needle under such conditions preventing the breaking of the needle.

In employing mattress sewing machines of the type now in general use considerable inconvenience and expense is caused by the knot in the thread, during the operation of stitching, engaging and breaking off the needle at the eye, and which is very objectional as it not only causes delay in mounting and threading a new needle, but furthermore incurs additional needle cost which is somewhat of an item as the type of needle employed in mattress sewing machines is somewhat expensive.

To overcome the objectional features just referred to is the primary aim of the invention, and to attain such aim a thread cutter, of a form hereinafter referred to, is interposed between the spool of thread and the needle, at a point whereby the knot in the thread will engage the cutter in advance of the needle causing the automatic operation of the cutter to sever the thread and prevent the breaking of the needle.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a thread cutter for the purpose set forth which is simple in its construction, strong, durable, automatic in its operation, eflicient in its use, conveniently set up with respect to the machine frame or head, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the noval construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be under- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

Serial No. 90,376.

stood that changes, variations and modificatlons can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views: Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of a mattress sewing machine, the thread feeding element, showlng the adaptation therewith of a thread cutter in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the thread cutter. Fig. 8 an end elevation. Fig. 4 a top plan. Fig. 5 a perspective view of the cutting element. Fig. 6 a perspective view of the combined thread guide and locking lever.

Referring to the drawings in detail 1 denotes the pivoted thread feeding element of a mattress sewing machine, 2 the spool of thread and 3 the thread. The element 1 has a guide 4 for the thread 3. A thread cutter in accordance with this invention is adapted to be secured to one end, as well as being positioned above the said end of the element 1 and it consists of a rectangular supporting plate 4, standing on edge, and having a depending bracket arm 5, formed with an opening 6, for the passage of a suitable securing means 7, to couple the arm 5 to the element 1, so that the plate 4 will be supported above the element 1. The arm 5 is of a width less than the length of the plate 4 and is arranged at the rear of the latter.

Projecting at right angles with respect to the plate 4: and arranged at the outer end of the latter is a rectangular protuberance 8 having a concaved inner face 9, a plane outer face 10, and a centrally disposed opening 11 which'constitutes a. thread guide. The protuberance 8 is of less height than the height of the plate 4-, and is centrally disposed with respect therewith.

Carried by the plate a is a stationary shaft 12 upon which is pivotally mounted a spring controlled thread cutting element consisting of a body portion 13 formed with an opening through which extends the shaft 12. The body portion 13 is positioned against the front side of the plate 4' and has a rounded edge 14 provided with a shoulder 15 for a purpose to be presently referred to. Projecting from the edge 14:, at a point above the shoulder 15 is a depending curved cutting member 16 of a width greater than the thickness of said when the cutting element is actuated in a manner to be referred to PIOJGCtlHg rearwardly from the body portion 13 1s a thumb or finger piece or arm 18 for the purpose of facilitating the shifting of the cutting element to set it, and an ranged below. the'arm 18 is a rearwardly and downwardly extending arm 19, provided at its free end with an inwardly eX- .tending and right angularly disposed coupling stud 20, to which is attached the end 21 of an extended portion 17 of a coiled actuating spring 22, which is mounted on the shaft 12 at the inner side of the plate r. The outer end 23 of the spring 22 is inclosed in the inner side of the plate 1. The rear end of the plate 4 is cut away to provide a rounded edge 24C and a pair of protuberances 25, 25, which constitute stops for limiting respectively the upward and downward movement of a coupling stud 27.

,Pivotally mounted upon the stud or shaft 27, carried by the plate 4 below the body portion 13, is a combined thread guide and locking lever 28, having an opening 29 for the-purpose of mounting said lever 28 upon said stud 27 and formed integral with the lever 28 and offset with respect thereto is a vertically disposed L-shaped member 30, having jits upper end provided with an opening 31 which constitutes a thread guide.

The forward end of the lever 28 is squared as at 31, and which is adapted to engage the shoulder 15 to lock the cutting element from movement against the action of the spring 22. The member 30 extends parallel to the outer face of the plate 4 and above the top edge of the plate and is adapted to be engaged by the knot in the thread 3 whereby said lever 28 will be tripped and the cutting element released under such conditions permitting of the actuation of the cutting elementby the spring 22.

The reference character 32 denotes a flat spring which has the end 33 secured to the plate 4: below the protuberance 10. The spring 32 bears against the lever 28 to maintain it against the body portion 13 of the cutting element and the end 32 of said lever 28 in the path of the shoulder 15.

The thread 3 after passing through the guide 4, then passes through the guide 31, across the outer face of the cutting element; and then through the guide 11 and is positioned below the cutting edge 18 of the cutting member 16 and by such an arrangement when the member 30 is actuated'by the knot in the thread to trip the lever 28, the cutting element is released and will then be actuated by the spring 22,

under such conditions the cutting member 16 will be carried down against the concave face 9 of the protube mice 8 and the thread will be severed.

What we claim is 1. A thread cutter comprising a support, a protuberance thereon and provided with a thread guide, a spring actuated cutting element carried by the support and operating against one face of said protuberance to sever the thread passing through said guide, and a. locking lever having av thread guide member and capable of engaging the cutting element to lock it against the action of its spring and shifted to release the said element by the tripping of said member by a knot in the thread which is guided thereby which permits of the actuation of said element by its spring to sever the thread.

2. A thread cutter con'iprising a support, a protuberance thereon, and provided with a thread guide, a spring actuated cutting element carried by the support and operating against one face of said protubeance to sever the thread passing through said guide, and a locking lever having a thread guide member and capable of engaging the cutting element to lock it against the action of its spring and shifted to release the said element by the tripping of said member by a knot in the thread which is guided thereby which permits of the actuation of said element by its spring to sever the thread, that face of said protuberance against which said cutting element operates being concave.

3. A thread cutter comprising a support, a protuberance thereon and provided with a thread guide, a. spring actuated cutting element carried by the support and having projecting therefrom a curved cutting member, operating against one face of said protuberance to sever the thread passing through said guide, and a locking lever having a thread guide member and capable of engaging the cutting element to lock it against the action of its spring and shifted to release the said element by the tripping of said member by a knot in the thread which is guided thereby which permits of the actuation of said element by its spring to sever the thread.

4. A thread cutter comprising a support, a protuberance thereon and provided with a thread guide, a spring actuated cutting element carried by the support and having projecting therefrom a. curved cutting member operating against one face of said protuberance to sever the thread passing through said guide, and a locking lever having a thread guide member and capable of engaging the cutting element to lock it against the act-ion of its spring and shifted to release the said element by the tripping of said member by a knot in the thread which is guided thereby which permits of the actuation of said element by its spring to sever 1,196,651 lElt the thread, that face of said protuberance against which operates said cutting member being concave.

5. A thread cutter comprising a support, a shaft carried thereby, a cutting element shiftably mounted thereon, actuating means for said element carried by the shaft, means traveling at the rear end of the support for coupling said means to said element, means to provide a thread guide projecting from the support and against one face operates said element to sever the thread passing through the guide, and a locking lever having a thread guide member and capable of engaging said element to lock it against the operation thereof by its actuating means and shifted to release said element by the tipping of said member by a knot in the thread guided thereby which permits of the operation of said element to sever the thread.

6. A thread cutter comprising a support, a shaft carried thereby, a cutting element shiftably mounted thereon, actuating means for said element carried by the shaft, means traveling at the rear of the support for couiiin said means to said element, means to provide a thread guide projecting from the support and against one face operates said element to sever the thread passing through the guide, and a locking lever having a thread guide member and capable of engaging said element to lock it against the operation thereof. by its actuating means and shifted to release said element by the tripping of said member by a knot in the thread guided thereby which permits of the operation of said element to sever the thread, the said face against which operates said element being concave.

7 A thread cutter comprising a support, a protuberance thereon and provided with a thread guide, a spring actuated cutting element carried by the support and having projecting therefrom a curved cutting member, operating against one face of said protuberance to sever the thread passing through said guide, and a locking lever having a thread guide member and capable of engaging the cutting element to lock it against the action of its spring and shifted to release the said element by the tripping of said member by'a knot in the thread which is guided thereby which permits of the actuation of said element by its spring to sever the thread, "and said support having means to arrest movement in either direction of said element.

8. A thread cutter comprising a support, a protuberance thereon and provided with a thread guide, a spring actuated cutting element carried by the support and operating against one face of said protuberance to sever-the thread passing through said guide, and a. locking lever having a thread guide member and capable of engaging the cutting element to lock it against the action of its spring and shifted torelease the said element by the tripping of said member by a knot in the thread which is guided thereby which permits of the actuation of said element by its spring to sever the thread, that face of said protuberance against which said cutting element operates being concave, and said support having means to arrest movement in either direction of said element.

9. A thread cutter comprising asupport, a protuberance thereon and provided with a thread guide, a spring actuated cutting element carried by the support and having projecting therefrom a curved cutting member, operating against one face of said protuberance to sever the thread passing through said guide, and a locking lever having a thread guide member and capable of engaging the cutting element to lock it against the action of its spring and shifted to release the said element by the tripping of said member by a knot in the thread which is guided thereby which permits of the actuation of said element by it spring to sever the thread, and said support having means to arrest movement in either direction of said element.

10. A thread cutter comprising a support, a protuberance thereon and provided with a thread guide, a spring actuated cutting ele ment carried by the support and having projecting therefrom a curved cutting member operating against one face of said protuberance to sever the thread passing through said guide, and a locking lever having a thread guide member and capable of engaging the cutting element to lock it against the action of its spring and shifted to release the said element by the tripping of said member by a knot in the thread which is guided thereby which permits of the actuation of said element by its spring to sever the thread, that face of said protuberance against which operates said cutting member being concave, and said support having means to arrest movement in either direction of said element.

11. A thread cutter comprising a support, a shaft carried thereby, a cutting element shiftably mounted thereon, actuating means for said element carried by the shaft, means traveling at the rear of the support for coupling said means to said element, means to provide a thread guide projecting from the support and against one face operates said element to sever the thread passing through the guide, and a locking lever having a thread guide member and capable of engaging said element to lock it against the operation thereof by its actuating means and shifted to release said element by the tripping of said member by a knot in the thread guided thereby which permits of the operation of said element to sever the thread,

said thread guide member offset with respect to said lever and arranged forwardly of said element and said lever positioned below said element and being spring controlled.

12. A thread cutter comprising a support, a shaft carried thereby, a cutting element shiftably mounted thereon, actuating means for said element carried by the shaft, means traveling at the rear of the support for coupling said means to said element, means to provide a thread guide projecting from the support and against one face operates said element to sever the thread passing through the guide, and a locking lever having a thread guide member and capable of engaging said element to lock it against the operation thereof by its actuation means and shifted to release said element by the tripping of said member by a knot in the thread guided thereby which permits of the operation of said element to sever the thread, the said face against Which operates said element being concave, said thread guide member offset with respect to said lever and arranged forwardly of said element and said lever positioned below said element and being spring controlled.

13. A thread cutter comprising-means to provide astationary and a movable thread guide for the passage of a thread, a spring actuated cutting element operating against one face of said stationary guide to sever thread passing therethrough, and a looking lever carrying said movable thread guide and capable of engaging said element to lock it against the action of its spring and shifted to release said element by the tripping of the movable thread guide by a knot in the thread permitting of the actuation of said element by its spring to sever the thread. v

14. A thread cutter comprising means to provide a stationary and a movable thread guide forthe passage of the thread, a spring actuated cutting element operating against one face of said stationary guide to sever thread passing therethrough, and a locking lever carrying said movable thread guide and capable of engaging said element to lock it against the action of its spring and shifted to release said element by the tripping of the movable thread guide by a knot in the thread permitting of the actuation ofsaid element by its spring to sever the thread, and a. common support means for said element, lever and stationary guide.

15. A thread cutter comprising means to provide a stationary and a movable thread guide for the passage of the thread, a spring actuated cutting element operating against one face of said stationary guide to sever thread passing therethrough, and a locking lever carrying said movable thread guide and capable of engaging said element to lock it against the action of its spring and shifted to release said element by the tripping of the movable thread guide by a knot in the thread permitting of the actuation of said element by its spring to sever the thread, and provided with stops for limiting the movement in either direction of said element.

16. A thread cutter comprising means to provide a stationary and a movable thread guide for the passage of the thread, a spring actuated cutting element operating against one face of said stationary guide to sever thread passing therethrough, and a locking lever carrying said movable thread guide and capable of engaging said element to lock it against the action of its spring and shifted to release said element by the tripping of the movable thread guide by a knot in the thread permitting of the actuation of said element by its spring to sever the thread, and a common support means for said element, lever, and stationary guide, and provided with stops for limiting the movement in either direction of said element.

In testimony whereof We aflix our signatures in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH W. BOWERSOX. ALBERT W. MOORE.

Vitnesses B. E. JENKINS, LUELLA H. SIMON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. 

